Dolly Sods - Sept 17-19 Hang & Backpacking Weekend - Come join the adventure!

**VegaMike** · 08-14-2010, 17:37

Originally Posted by Bobs

Anyone coming through the Virginia / Harrisonburg area? Coming in from the south, how are the roads in? I'm reading a lot about narrow gravel roads with lots of pot holes. Once you're on the gravel roads, how far is it to the parking area?

Roads are narrow (1 1/2 car widths), pot holes, sharp rocks (= flat tire, ask me how I know), and teeth-jarring washboards.

DIRECTIONS FROM SOUTH OF DOLLY SODS

NORTH on WV28/US33.

At the Seneca Rocks Visitor Center, pick up a free map (ask for it at the information desk). If you allow enough time, you can day hike up part of Seneca Rocks, 2.6mi each way (I haven't done this).

At Seneca Rocks, NORTH (straight) on WV28/WV55. (A left here onto WV55/US33 heads toward Harman (town), WV32, Laneville Road, and the southern end called Dolly Sods Wilderness. Unless you have oodles of spare time, skip it, it's slow going.)

Pass Hopeville (not sure if there is sign for this town/area.) If you see signs for Smoke Hole Cabins/Caverns, you missed Jordan Run Road, turn around when safe.

LEFT (NORTH/NNE) on Jordan Run Road. Go one mile.

LEFT (WEST) on Forest Road 19 (FR19). Begin gravel roadway.

RIGHT (NORTH) on Forest Road 75 (FR75).

Distance from WV28/WV55 to Red Creek Campground is 12 miles. The sign for Red Creek Campground is on RIGHT. Go 250ft, TR511 Black Bird Knob trailhead parking lot is on RIGHT.

Last weekend, I drove from WV28/WV55 to the TR560 Wildlife Trail in 30 minutes, so WV28/WV55 to Red Creek Campground is about 45 minutes.

Take your time on the Forest Service roads to avoid a flat tire. The pot holes can be deep. One moment you're cruising at 20mph, then WHAM a pot hole hidden in the shade. I travel 10-15mph in a Subaru Legacy GT wagon (normal ground clearance). 4WD/AWD isn't required.

Check tire condition, tire pressure, spare tire pressure, oil, antifreeze, windshield wipers, fluid, brakes, etc. before you leave. I carry a truck air compressor (300psi) that plugs into a 12V outlet. Get a truck air compressor, they pump faster than ones for cars. This saved me when I hit a sharp rock and developed a slow leak.

I highly recommend the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer for West Virginia, p38-39. It's very detailed and the only accurate map of mountain roads I've found. The West Virginia Official State Highway Map lacks sufficient detail (free at WV visitor centers).

Drive in the daylight; finding Forest Service roads at dusk/in the dark will unnecessarily complicate your trip.

WARNING: Google Maps and GPS directions to Dolly Sods are erroneous.

A GPS may exist that presents accurate directions, but I haven't seen it.

Attached is a zipped Google Earth .kmz file with the APPROXIMATE lat/long. This is from zooming the satellite image in Google Earth, not an actual GPS or map reading.

Happy Camper,

Troop 440 is hiking in West Virginia that weekend. Scouts haven't decided if we're going to Otter Creek or Dolly Sods yet. I'll keep you informed.

**HappyCamper** · 08-14-2010, 20:04

Heck yeah, keep me posted. I was just at Otter Creek 2 weeks ago. Great swimming holes there!

**Crash** · 08-15-2010, 09:31

Happy Camper, et al, I wish I could come on the Hangout but its my daughter's 30th that weekend and I'm gearing up for my Grandmother's 100th the weekend after.

I plan on making it down to WV to do the rail trails in the northern part of your state sometime soon. I've heard so much about Dolly Sods but I've not wanted to do it alone.

**HappyCamper** · 08-15-2010, 11:09

Sorry to hear that Crash. Let me know when you'll be biking up this way. I may be able to shuttle you or perhaps join in.

**HappyCamper** · 08-17-2010, 07:33

BUMP! Officially one month out from the Dolly Sods hang/backpacking weekend. Sept 17-19! Keep it on your radar. Don't let real life get in the way. I checked the weather and it looks like it's going to be a perfect weekend.

VegaMike thanks for the great details about the drive. Yep, once you get to the Dolly Sods forest roads it takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on where you come in. Correct, you don't need 4 wheel drive. Go slow on those washboard roads and you won't have problems. Someone comes up behind you and is on your bumper, just wave them around. People do it all the time.

Can't wait!

**NCPatrick** · 08-18-2010, 13:20

Looks like my oldest daughter will be joining me this trip instead of joining me for the MAHHA trip. I'll be helping her get ready for the backcountry until then.

**HappyCamper** · 08-18-2010, 17:10

Yeah! Great to hear.

**HamMike** · 08-19-2010, 07:50

Anyone bringin pepperoni rolls?!

**Can't Wait** · 08-19-2010, 09:29

Ok nubb here first group hang camp out etc etc so what is expected from each of us at a hang I see question of pepperoni rolls above don't want to show up like a green greenhorn lol

**HappyCamper** · 08-19-2010, 11:09

Originally Posted by HamMike

Anyone bringin pepperoni rolls?!

LOL, pepperoni rolls go on every backpacking trip I take. The perfect combination of fats, protien and carbs! Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. Can eat 'em cold or steam them warm! I thought pepperoni rolls were a West Virginia thing because other states won't allow the sale of unrefrigerated meat?

I'll bring a couple of bags. But I'm a purist. I don't get 'em with cheese. Just the bread and pepperoni meat.